Afghanistan and England face each other in match number 8 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday, February 26, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both sides come into this contest on the back of defeats in their respective opening matches in Group B. South Africa tamed the Afghans in a 107-run defeat. South Africa outplayed Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men in Karachi. The next day, Australia made history in the Champions League by scaling down a target of 353 versus England, who were abysmal with the ball. This match is a must-win scenario for both teams, and a defeat for either side would virtually end their Champions Trophy journey. It’s England who come into this clash as the favourites but Afghanistan cannot be ruled out completely as they can be party spoilers.
In terms of the head-to-head record between the two sides, England lead the proceedings with a tally of 2-1 from three games.
Ahead of a cracking contest in Lahore, here we present the key player battles.
Rashid Khan vs Joe Root
Rashid Khan had a poor game against South Africa, leaking runs aplenty and he will need to step up and deliver the goods. The star Afghan wrist-spinner will aim to topple England’s Joe Root. The Englishman scored a fine fifty against the Aussies in England’s CT opener.
Across one innings, Rashid has bowled 13 balls to Root, conceding 17 runs without being able to dismiss him.
Versus right-handed batters in ODIs, Rashid owns an average of 19.30. He has 143 scalps in 105 matches. In Asia, Rashid’s average reads 20.43 versus right-handed batters from 65 innings with 89 scalps under his belt.
Root owns a tally of 726 runs from 47 innings against right-arm leg-spinners in ODIs, averaging a brilliant 80.66. He has been dismissed nine times. Digging deeper, in Asia, Root owns an average of 65.33 versus leg-spinners from 10 innings, scoring 196 runs and being dismissed thrice.
Fazalhaq Farooqi vs Ben Duckett
Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi will have his task cut out against Ben Duckett. Farooqi will need to start well with the new ball and stop England’s carnage, with Phil Salt and Duckett both known for their aggressive style. Duckett comes into this contest with a record-breaking 165 versus Australia.
In 34 ODI innings, Farooqi averages 28.89 versus left-handed batters. He has managed 19 dismissals. Farooqi, who will open the bowling, averages 31.51 in the PP overs (1-10). His ER reads 5.14. He owns 29 dismissals in this phase.
Meanwhile, Duckett has slammed 423 runs from 20 innings at 60.42 against right-handed pacers. He has been dismissed 7 times. Opener Duckett averages 50 in PP overs from 17 innings. He owns 300 runs and has been dismissed 6 times.
Noor Ahmad vs Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler is set to come at number six for England. He will aim to wrestle control against Afghanistan’s left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad. Notably, young Noor picked 1/65 in his side’s clash against South Africa. Buttler will want to play a positive brand of cricket and dictate the show here.
Versus left-arm spinners in ODIs, Buttler averages 47.33 from 65 innings. He has scored 710 runs and has been dismissed 15 times. In Asia, his average drops to 37.66. From 19 innings, he owns 226 runs (6 dismissals).
Meanwhile, Noor has managed to claim nine scalps versus right-handed batters from 11 innings at an unwanted average of 49.22. Batters have struck at 95-plus vs Noor.
Jofra Archer vs Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran had a torrid time facing fast bowler Kagiso Rabada vs South Africa with the bowler’s extra pace. And now, Jofra Archer’s extra pace may trouble him again. Archer, who had a poor show versus Australia, will aim for parity in this contest.
In 29 matches against right-handed batters, Archer averages 28.63. He has taken 30 wickets. Archer, who will open England’s bowling, averages 42.42 in the PP overs in Odis. From 29 innings, he has 14 scalps in this phase. He has a sound ER of 4.79.
Zadran has scored a total of 790 runs versus right-arm pacers across 34 innings at 46.47. He has been out 17 times. In PP overs vs right-arm pacers, he has 390 runs at 39. Across 34 innings, he has been dismissed 10 times. Overall, in PP overs, the batter has bagged 542 runs at 36.13. He has been dismissed 15 times.
Adil Rashid vs Rahmat Shah
Adil Rashid is on a roll at the moment, and the leg-spinner will have his task cut out against the experienced Rahmat Shah, who fought hard with a solid 90 vs SA in the side’s CT opener. Rashid will want to dominate Rahmat and keep him at bay.
Across two innings, Rashid has dismissed the batter both times. Rahmat owns 2 runs from nine balls and averages 1.
Versus right-handers, Rashid averages 32.41. In 139 innings, he has 157 scalps. Rashid averages 26.40 In 30 innings vs right-handers in Asia. He has 44 scalps.
Rahmat owns an average of 39.44 vs right-arm leg-spinners. He has been dismissed nine times from 31 innings, scoring 355 runs.